The Forever House: a great laid-back holiday read

Nestled in the Cotswold’s, just on the outskirts of Peasebrook is the Willoughby family home, Hunter’s Moon. Belinda Baxter, a realtor, has been commissioned to sell this family treasure. As Belinda drives up the oak lined drive her breath is taken away.

“If she could describe the perfect house, this was it. Built of pale Cotswold limestone and softened with Lichen, she guessed it was about two Hundred years old. It was three storeys high and the perfect width for its height, with large latticed windows that winked in the sunshine. A steep grey roof was flanked by two sturdy chimney pots. Wide stone steps led up to a canary yellow front door, guarded by two square lead planters holding balls of box. A thick, gnarled wisteria made its way over the top of the two ground floor windows.”

This is a forever house. Originally purchased by famous author Margot Willoughby, it has passed on to her son Alex and his wife Sally. From the outset, there is a sense of extreme sadness regarding the sale of Hunter’s Moon. Life, circumstances can be cruel and as Belinda begins to talk with Sally the story of Hunter’s Moon unfolds.

The Forever House by Veronica Henry is a story intertertwining around two different timelines – the present day and a period in the 1960’s when the Willoughby’s, eccentric and unconventional all, were negotiating the rather tumultuous fallout from their Mother’s bout of writer’s block. The characters of the Willoughby family are colourful, to say the least.

Alexander, aka Beetle, is the oldest son. He comes across as a rich, womanising playboy but we find, as we progress through the story, he has deeper, endearing layers. Phoebe, the middle child, is a stylish and up to the minute fashion designer working tirelessly towards her big break. Annie is the youngest, still at school but negotiating personal minefields as she battles outward influences in her life as only a school yard playground can provide. Dai, Margot’s husband and father to her children, was a conscientious objector in WW2 and has remained unemployable ever since. Margot the true eccentric of the family with her somewhat wild and self-absorbed personality is, therefore, the sole bread winner. Consequently, the world and her family revolve around her and her writing, to the complete detriment of her immediate household.

Enter Sally.  Sally has literally been picked up by Alexander after a late-night rescue the night before. She is his knight in shining armour.

Sally enters a house in disarray and before she knows it she has been ensconced as the resident housekeeper/ secretary / we can’t live without you member of the family, due in no small measure to her providing their first cooked meal since the dawn of time.

Sally falls in love with this family, despite obvious challenges that come into play, and they fall in love with her, one person in particular.

Meanwhile, in the present day, Sally and Alexander negotiate the sale of their beloved Hunter’s Moon, and Belinda then enters the Willoughby family dynamic. Belinda’s’ own story begins to unfold and we discover the background of her desire and journey to find her own Forever House.

The Forever House is a light but engaging read. I found myself drawn to all the characters and I absolutely love a book that delves into family dynamics and the chaos that unfolds but which is wrapped in love and solidarity and mutual respect. Perhaps being an only child may have influenced me, but I love the Willoughby family. If you are looking for a book to enhance your holiday plans… this is the one for you.

The Forever House by Veronica Henry (published by Hachette Australia) is available now from Dymocks. Click here to learn more.